As a child I always felt that I was overweight. When I look back at photos from that time, I find that I wasn't really that overweight, only slightly chubby, but I still had the image in my head that I was fat. As I grew up and became an adult, I grew into that image. I struggled with my weight off and on and would occasionally lose a few pounds, only to gain them back a few weeks later.

Four days before my son was born, I stepped on the scale at the doctor's office and weighed in at a whopping total of 250 pounds. I decided right then and there that it was time to take a serious look at my lifestyle and how I had gotten to that point. I could blame 30 pounds of that on the baby, but the rest was all me.

The baby weight dropped off quickly after my son's birth, but I was determined to lose the rest of the excess I had gained over the last few years. Thanks to breastfeeding and having little time to eat while taking care of a newborn, another 15 pounds dropped off pretty quickly.

The next step was finding a diet that I could actually stick to. I decided to go with Weight Watchers' online plan using the Points system. With the points system I could still eat most of my favorite foods in moderation so I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything.

The diet worked really well for about three months before I started getting tired of counting out everything I put into my mouth. It got easier over time to estimate the point values of the foods I was eating and I quit being so strict with documenting everything. I had lost 35 pounds since starting the diet, and even though I was still another 20 pounds from my goal I was more comfortable with my body. Even when I wasn't strictly dieting, I was still eating much less and making healthier choices when it comes to food.

This week, I am forcing myself back onto the strict diet in the hopes of losing those last 20 pounds. Even though I feel much better about myself and my size, my real reason for doing this is for my son. I want him to grow up having a mom that is healthy and energetic. I want him to grow up knowing what it is like to eat healthy foods. Kids learn best by watching the examples of others, which means if I want him to be healthy, I have to be too. Knowing that I am doing something that will improve his life is all the motivation I need.

About the author: Deew27 has a B.S. degree in Psychology with a minor in Family Life and Resource Management. She lives in Kansas City with her husband, 10 month old son, a dog, and two cats. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing blogs, web design, and digital photography.